London, Oct 22 : A new survey has revealed that one in four trainee teachers struggle to spell even simple words.

The finding was made after more than 11,000 teachers, who started at schools this year, failed a basic test.

The inability to spell was just another finding added to the shocking statistic that was revealed last year after a whopping 20,000 were found to be duffers in arithmetic.

The student teachers were given an online test, which they can do as many times as they like, or until they pass, and it was discovered from the first test itself that the number of failures was 16 per cent higher than seven years ago.

“Spelling is a key basic skill. We need a renewed focus on getting the basics right,” the Sun quoted Lib Dem schools spokesman David Laws as saying.

“As the number of applicants being accepted on to teaching courses rises, we need to be sure this isn’t coupled with a decline in standards,” he said.

Even with a huge number of failures, the Schools Department insisted: “The vast majority pass first time.” (ANI)